CVE-2025-38055: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: perf/x86/intel: Fix segfault with PEBS-via-PT with sample

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: perf/x86/intel: Fix segfault with PEBS-via-PT with sample_freq Currently, using PEBS-via-P

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: perf/x86/intel: Fix segfault with PEBS-via-PT with sample_freq Currently, using PEBS-via-PT with a sample frequency instead of a sample period, causes a segfault. For example: BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000195 <NMI> ? __die_body.cold+0x19/0x27 ? page_fault_oops+0xca/0x290 ? exc_page_fault+0x7e/0x1b0 ? asm_exc_page_fault+0x26/0x30 ? intel_pmu_pebs_event_update_no_drain+0x40/0x60 ? intel_pmu_pebs_event_update_no_drain+0x32/0x60 intel_pmu_drain_pebs_icl+0x333/0x350 handle_pmi_common+0x272/0x3c0 intel_pmu_handle_irq+0x10a/0x2e0 perf_event_nmi_handler+0x2a/0x50 That happens because intel_pmu_pebs_event_update_no_drain() assumes all the pebs_enabled bits represent counter indexes, which is not always the case. In this particular case, bits 60 and 61 are set for PEBS-via-PT purposes. The behaviour of PEBS-via-PT with sample frequency is questionable because although a PMI is generated (PEBS_PMI_AFTER_EACH_RECORD), the period is not adjusted anyway. Putting that aside, fix intel_pmu_pebs_event_update_no_drain() by passing the mask of count

Description from the National Vulnerability Database, published by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

What it means for a small business

Linux is on the computers, phones or browsers your team uses every day. Turn on automatic updates and restart: most of these fixes only take effect after a restart.

How likely is an attack? The Exploit Prediction Scoring System, run by FIRST (the global association of security response teams), puts the odds of this one being exploited in the next 30 days at 0.19%, higher than 8% of CVEs. That’s low, but low isn’t zero, and the odds jump the day someone publishes an exploit. Scored October 29, 2026, updated daily.

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Sources

Part of the Huttenlocher Technologies vulnerability database, refreshed twice a day from CISA and the NVD. The title, category and plain-language guidance are ours; check the linked record before acting on a detail. This is general guidance, not a review of your systems.

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